21/12/2011
We dont do telephone training!
We were recently recommended to a major car retailer to assist with "telephone skills for our receptionists" - and politely pointed out that our skills and experience lie more in consultancy support for organisational transformation. But on further discussion it was clear that the training need that had been identified was part of a much bigger shift in customer service culture that was sweeping through the organisation. We were very pleased to redefine our understanding of the ways in which we could work with different aspects of the sales, service and administration functions in order to offer an integrated solution to their staff development needs. The fact that they are dealing with customers and each other on the other end of the phone became an important aspect of a major communication and problem solving interface. We dont do telephone training, but we are very pleased to be part of a dynamic and exciting change programme rooted in important commercial goals!
21/12/2011
Action Learning for high performing nursing staff in NHS
Whitmuir has continued its creative partnership with Kings College Hospital in devising an action centred learning programme for Band 6 and Band 7 nurses in the neurosciences area. Having transformed its standards and reputation over the last two years, the team are now embarking on a programme of personal development and performance challenge that will raise the bar even higher for senior nurses and their multi disciplinary colleagues. Over the next six months the participants will be devising and delivering change projects that they feel passionate about that will enhance patient care, even within the tight resource controls that every part of the NHS is experience. This is not just about learning about change as an abstract model - but about making it happen at grass roots level, 24/7. We look forward to the challenge that this will also bring to our consultants as the programme facilitators. it promises to be an exciting partnership, measured by hard edged KPIs.
16/11/2011
Reinvigorating enthusiasm and creativity in the NHS
"Thank you very much for your wonderful and engaging workshop which you convened on Friday. There were many exciting conversations and powerful ambitions that resulted.
This was the feedback from the lead stroke consultant Dr David Hargroves after a multi disciplinary meeting for all those involved in acute and community stroke care in Thanet. Traditional boundaries, organisational limits and historical mindsets were set to one side and a fresh approach to redesigning the recovery journey for stroke patients was developed with innovative ideas from all participants. As facilitators we found the session as challenging and invigorating as the attendees and eagerly look forward to further developments.
In these tough recessionary times, with resources under limits and restrictions at every turn - the opportunity to innovate and design solutions that would not have been supported previously has never been stronger.
01/11/2011
London Stroke Action Council
Whitmuir continues to add value in new ways to healthcare in London by bringing energy and ideas to the newly formed London Stroke Action Council - a new entity within the Stroke Association. We are helping to design and launch this new organisation with a programme of activity to give a stronger voice to stroke survivors and their families - helping to shape the future community based services that will make a substantial difference to stroke victims of all ages. We are leading the partnership programme which is supporting multi disciplinary research projects, joining forces with employment organisations, creating forums and networks for local coordiantors - and even helping set up the hotline number to call to find out more about LSAC. Interested?? Why not give us a call on 020 7 649 9988 to find out more
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01/11/2011
Turning a new Strategy into Action for local charity
West Herts Against Crime is a local charity that provides security services to victims of crime, the elderly and disadvantaged. Following cutback s in traditional funding sources WHAC sought our advice on how to redesign itself for a stable and long term future in the new financial environment. Well done to all the staff trustees and key stakeholders for providing such a rich mix of new ideas which have now been pulled together into an exhilerating prospect for the future - demonstrating how to put the theory of the big society into action!
21/07/2011
Technology + People = better services for less!
Challenging economic times require organisations to do more with less. In theory, savings can be obtained by the introduction of new technology that save time, reduce resource requirements, enable conversations and information sharing which increase efficiency and effectiveness. Breakthrough developments in the use and application of internet based services have opened up fast track opportunities without major capital cost. But to capitalise on so much of what is on offer, staff and managers need to change the way in which they work together, make decisions and prioritise what they do. This is the people and organisational change element of technology led improvement that is often underestimated.
Whitmuir Development has recently established partnerships with a number of hi-technology companies involved in introducing new services in health, offender management and charity sectors. Contact us to find out more about these exciting new projects, some of which are free!
01/04/2011
Hitting the right notes!
In the current climate of cut backs and belt tightening on all sides several of our clients have asked us to combine activities that meet a number of needs, in order to get even better value from their investment with us. "Necessity being the Mother of Invention" has certainly worked well for us and them! The results have been really exciting and we have described the principles of our approach as a new "service" called three360 - which combines individual and team development with hard edged problem solving to deliver better business results.
We have identified new partners to work with us on this venture. A great example is Percussity - who combine musical activity with individual and team development in a wide variety of ways. Our case study with Thames Water describes how we worked together to deliver outstanding results for individuals and their business.
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21/03/2011
Congratulations!
Since Whitmuir worked on the launch of the stroke services at Barts and the Royal London NHS Trust last summer/autumn, the multi-disciplinary team have continued to build their ability to deliver an outstanding service to thousands of patients in NE London. Their approach has been recognised as a model of good practise across London, the UK and as far afield as Korea. The Gloucester Ward HASU team have won the Team of the Month Bringing Excellence to Life Awards within the Trust and are continuing to raise standards with rigorous medical and nursing reviews and an outstanding commitment to patient care. Well done to you all!
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17/03/2011
Sustainable success for all stakeholders
Our consultants have been working with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in Jamaica to support the modernisation of prison and probation services since 2008. Securing the support of Judges and magistrates for new and consistent approaches to sentencing that support their partnership with DCS has been a key objective. Last week we facilitated a workshop, chaired by Her Honour Chief Justice Zaila McCalla in Kingston at which a shared action plan for progressive change was agreed. These commitments will create a framework for sustainable success for the DCS transformation programme as well as enabling sentencers to use their time more efficiently and effectively. Our contribution to the journey to reach that event, as well as our facilitation on the day, were commended by all stakeholders who acknowledged our ability to pick through a myriad of complex issues and crystallise actions that were in the interests of all.
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16/02/2011
Wake up call for significant change in 2011
Whitmuir Development got off to a noisy start for 2011. A major water company invited us to design and facilitate a day that would help three administrative teams learn how to work together to common goals. Having worked through some personal and team feedback in the morning we handed the baton to a Percussion group for the afternoon who - with the aid of some individual drums and innovative ideas, helped this group of conservative non performers translate and enact their individual and team skills from the morning into a musical extravaganza that had the whole group buzzing. "If I had been closer to the door, I would have left within the first minute" said one delegate - who, by the end of the session then added "but I was so glad that I stayed as I got a huge amount out of the experience - it was amazing, fun and has made an enormous difference to how we now work together as a team"
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